America's Oldest Floating Post Office Is in New Hampshire

Meet the M/V Sophie C

The M/V Sophie C cruises around Lake Winnipesaukee during the summer, delivering mail to people living and vacationing on the lake's islands.

Credit: Sophie C - U.S. Mail Boat via Facebook

This isn't something created for tourists, either.

The longer I live in New Hampshire, the more I realize there are things here that I would never think to look for.

Apparently, I can now add a floating post office to that list.

Not a boat that simply carries mail.

An actual floating post office.

And not only is it here in New Hampshire, it's considered the oldest floating post office in the United States.

Mail service by boat on Lake Winnipesaukee dates all the way back to 1892, when an official mail route was established to serve the islands.

The Sophie C herself was built in 1945 and began handling the lake's mail route in 1969.

More than 50 years later, she's still doing it.

This might be my favorite part.

The Sophie C doesn't just transport bags of mail from one place to another.

It's a legit functioning floating post office.

Mail can be collected, stamps can be sold and outgoing mail can receive the Sophie C's own cancellation mark.

The Sophie C started in 1969 but the mail boat goes all the way back to 1916, when the mail boat operating on Lake Winnipesaukee was granted the authority to cancel mail, essentially making the operation a floating post office.

Here's the fun part... You Can Actually Ride Along. #granitestatebucketlist

Passengers can ride on the Sophie C while it makes its mail deliveries.

The boat operates as both a mail boat and sightseeing vessel, cruising around Lake Winnipesaukee and stopping at islands along its route.

You're basically watching the mail get delivered while spending a couple of hours cruising one of the most beautiful lakes in New England.

Passengers can even mail postcards from aboard the boat and have them receive the Sophie C's distinctive postmark.

And apparently mail isn't the only important cargo.

The Sophie C has traditionally carried snacks and ice cream treats for island residents, too.

Now that's mail delivery. I like how they think here in NH. Now if they can add a beer tap.

A New Hampshire Tradition That's More Than 130 Years Old

Technology has completely changed how most of us communicate. I honestly can't remember the last time I mailed an actual letter that wasn't a bill or something official.

Meanwhile, every summer on Lake Winnipesaukee, there's still a boat making the rounds delivering mail to people living on the islands just like boats have been doing there since the 1800s.

It's part post office.

Part sightseeing cruise.

Part living piece of New Hampshire history.